A last-minute goal from visiting AFC Fury prevented Old Blues from taking a share of the points in their top-of-the-table Federation division-one clash at Wharepai Domain on Saturday.
The home side twice came from a goal behind to square the contest in an eventful second half before an 89th-minute winnerfrom the relentless Fury put the result beyond doubt.
Fury were well worth their 3-2 win on a heavy track despite going into the sheds at halftime level with their hosts after a scoreless first half. They claimed more territory and possession, and looked more comfortable with the ball at their feet than an opposition that quickly settled into a holding pattern with a lone striker up front.
Fury's Lee Garnharm opened the scoring in the 63rd minute with a well-taken chance from a regulation through ball. The imposing figure, who had earlier rattled the right-hand post, showed too much size and speed for the cover before tucking the ball into the left-hand corner past goalkeeper Ben Johnstone.
For a time the biggest threat the visitors were under came from a rousing disagreement between their foreign goalkeeper and centre back, who were given all the more reason to fret when Old Blues' Andrew Cooper blasted a free kick underneath the Fury wall to make it 1-1. From there the game threatened to descend into a bad-natured affair, several rash Fury challenges raising the heckles of the home fans, before Juan Basso smashed a screamer from the top of the box to make it 2-1.
Luke Barton levelled the score at 2-2 in the 88th minute with a superb strike from outside the area, but a defensive error and quality finishing allowed Fury to take sole possession of the competition points.
Fury 3 (Lee Garnham, Juan Basso, Shane Jenkins); Old Blues 2 (Andrew Cooper, Luke Barton).
